Anthony Gismondi: 10 great wines marked down until Nov. 23

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White wine sales have lagged behind reds for decades, but the pendulum is swinging back. In 1990, sales were 49.9 per cent of the market, according to Impact. The following year, 60 Minutes reported possible heart health benefits of wine — specifically red wine — and by 2000, white wine’s market share dipped to 41.8 per cent. Slowly but surely, the trend toward lighter, fresher wines has put white sales at just over 50 per cent, but with a little effort, you should discover some excellent offerings at affordable prices.

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As we head toward late fall and winter, we thought you might want to brush up on your white wine knowledge and pick up some bottles before the holidays to share with guests. Shopping early is a stress reliever, so we take all the work out of the process by recommending some favourite labels that are currently marked down in price until Nov. 23 in B.C. liquor stores.

One might ask how a wine could be $5 cheaper than it was last month or will be next month. The answer is simple: the BCLDB wholesale monopoly controls the final price of every product sold in B.C. Think casino; the house never loses. They rely on you to be constantly confused by their yo-yo pricing shenanigans, making it almost impossible to recommend any wine not on sale. Of course, wine marked down from a starting point, which is the ultimate gouge, doesn’t mean much of a saving, but it’s a start. Here’s what we recommend this week.

Acacia Vintner’s Selection Chardonnay, California $13

One of the most famous names in California, Chardonnay, has made a mass-produced wine that was listed at $19 and is now selling for $13. I say take a chance. Sold in 119 stores

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Devils Lair Honeybomb Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia $15

You will have to hunt for this wine, but its cool, classy demeanour and rich fruit are worth it. Sold in 12 stores

Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand $16

This is one of the original experts of N.Z. Sauvignon. It’s rare to see a wine like this at $15.99. Mussels, anyone? Sold in 191 stores.

Rupert Wines Protea Chenin Blanc $16.49

Protea is clean and mostly crisp, with a distinct lemon-lime attack with peach, fresh cut herbs and a splash of lees. Impressive for the price. Sold in 136 stores.

Francois Lurton Les Fumées Blanches Sauvignon Blanc, France $17

A perennial favourite made by serious folks. Citrus, lemon grass, kiwi and smoked stones. The perfect party white. Sold in 132 stores.

Fontanafredda Briccotonda Arneis 2021, Piedmont, Italy $18

Clean and fresh, this exotic fruit, honey, and pear mix is perfect for serving with hors-d’oeuvre or assorted pasta dishes. It is sold in 54 stores.

Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay Vintner’s Reserve 2021, California, $19.49

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This multi-region blend is part of the modern face of California Chardonnay. The fruit is tropical but never over the top, with a delicious lime butter finish. Impressive at this price. Sold in 156 stores.

Janare Falanghina del Sannio, Campania, Italy $20

Southern Italian whites are enjoying a Renaissance, as evidenced by this Janare Falanghina, a vibrant mix of white flowers, citrus and lime flavours and a chalky texture. A treat with seafood dishes or bufala mozzarella. Available in 23 Stores.

Umani Ronchi CaSal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore, Marche, Italy $20

This Verdicchio has been called a “flower shop in a bottle” with a saline wet gravel base and slightly bitter nutty finish. Sip, bites, sip bites, you won’t be sorry. Available in 36 stores.

Tedeschi Capitel Tenda Soave Classico, Italy, $22

This is among the best Soave labels in Italy. It is a lively, bright citrus almond affair with a twist of sophistication. It is available in 36 stores.

Remember, prices go back up Nov. 24.

Weekend wine picks

Escorihuela 1884 Syrah Finca E.G. 2021, Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina

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$19.99 I 88/100

UPC: 7790415130258

We like this wine a lot for its value at Gismondi on Wine. It is a juicy Syrah with tart blackberry, dark cherry, anise, aromas and flavours, and a dusting of spice. It is fresh, approachable, and reasonably priced red, perfect for a mid-week pour alongside steak frites.

Amalaya Malbec 2021, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, Argentina

$19.99 I 89/100

UPC: 7798104763039

This is currently on sale, so there’s never been a better time to back up the truck. It’s light and juicy, with fresh brambles, game, chocolate, and violet. There’s depth here without trying to be something it’s not, expressing the high-elevation freshness of Amalaya’s vineyards. Serve lightly chilled, with asado, of course. We recommend a quick 15-30 minute decant to give it room to breathe.

Mas Donis Old Vines Montsant, Catalunya, Spain

$22.97 I 90/100

UPC: 8427154013250

The 50/30/20 blend of Grenache, Cariñena, and Syrah comes off the Monsant DO, a sub-region that surrounds the DOQ of Priorat. Monsant is a relatively new DO recognized for its superior wines produced from old vines on old soils, but the viticulture is centuries old. Friendly and round, this wine slips down seamlessly, but the granite/schist terroir gives it its backbone, length, and savoir faire. We love the quality and the price of a wine you can drink and hold  — perfect for pork ribs or grilled beef.

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Père Anselme La Fiole Réserve Côtes du Rhône Villages  2019, Rhone Valley, France

$24.99 I 88/100

UPC: 03217661016593

Strictly selecting Grenache and Syrah leads to an intense reserve version of this Côtes du Rhône. Look for deep colour, black and red fruit that comes with sturdy tannins, cocoa, and licorice. There is plenty of acidity, so there is no rush to drink. For those in a hurry, think lamb chops or a pork roast to assimilate all the edges. Fair value. La Fiole Reserve is matured in traditional 100-year-old large oak barrels and concrete vats for 12 months, plus several more months in bottles.

Las Moradas de San Martín Senda 2020, Madrid, Spain

$35.99 I 91/100

UPC: 08437010475108

Las Moradas de San Martín was established in 1999 to recover the centuries-old vineyards of Garnacha farmed organically and biodynamically. The Garnacha is dry-farmed bush vines grown over sandy granitic soils. It’s wild fermented and pitching aromatic baked raspberry scents lined with black cherry highlights. The palate is muscular and dense, with more savoury red-black fruit and some sticky tannins yet to disperse. Lamb is the match. Decant the wine for an hour if you have time.

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Earlier this month, Poplar Grove Winery launched a formal library aging program for the public: the Poplar Grove Library Collection, which is said to be the first of its kind in B.C. For the last decade, Poplar Grove has been holding back a significant amount of its age-worthy wines each year to age for 10 years under perfect conditions: in custom-built cages inside a state-of-the-art, temperature and humidity-controlled warehouse. The inaugural release comprises 120 cases of the three 2014 Bordeaux-style reds: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and its flagship label, Legacy. These will be available for purchase from the winery until the end of this year — or while supplies last. If you are celebrating the year 2014 for any reason, opening any of these bottles would be a fun way to do it.

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On Saturday, Nov. 23, Dockside Restaurant in the Granville Island Hotel will hold its first Brewmaster’s Longtable Dinner. This four-course menu includes beer-inspired West Coast cuisine with thoughtfully paired seasonal Granville Island Brewing releases. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. and includes surprise brewery prizes throughout the evening. Seating is limited. Tickets are $80 per person and are available via Eventbrite.

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B.C. wine of the week

Le Vieux Pin Syrah Cuvée Violette Shiraz – Viognier 2022, Okanagan Valley

$36.99 I 92/100

UPC: 808755020478

Cuvée Violette continues to evolve and impress, becoming more serious for the price, albeit with all the fun you could want drinking Syrah. The 2022 Syrah is complete with its floral violet and blueberry to its meaty, licorice, black olive, savoury, peppery, sagebrush notes, met with silky smooth, dense tannins. I appreciate the freshness and tangy acidity that brightens the mid-palate and keeps the finish lively.  Classic Severine Pinte.

Value wine of the week

Chateau de la Gravelle 2021, Muscadet, Pays Nantais, Loire, France

$21.99 I 89/100

UPC: 03760233942078

You don’t need summer to drink Muscadet Sèvre et Maine. A mix of sedimentary rocks and volcanic outfall is at the foundation of this wine that jumps from the glass with a bright, mineral-green freshness. The texture is creamy and laced with green apples, stones, citrus, and peach, reflecting the perfect addition of time on lees (sur lie, as the French say). It’s a sushi slayer that refreshes every bite.

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